Super Second Half Sets Up Swedish Win

Ellen Nyström finished the game with 15 points on 6/13 shooting from the field

Sweden grabbed their first victory of the U20 European Championship Women Second Round after posting a strong third quarter display to ease their way past Belarus 76-65 in Group E.

There had been relatively little daylight between the teams during a high-scoring and high-tempo first couple of quarters, with Sweden taking a 45-40 lead to the locker rooms.

However, when the action resumed, Sweden put their foot on the accelerator and visibly playing with more purpose and urgency, they posted nine unanswered points to stretch the gap to 63-49.

It more or less killed off any realistic hopes Belarus had of winning the game.

Since while they tried hard, mainly through the outstanding Maryia Filonchyk who finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds to get within seven points with four minutes left, Sweden always looked comfortable.

The winning team played a solid game, making their foul shots when it mattered and they also looked after the ball well enough not to hand too many fast-break scores for their opponent.

Although that particular aspect of play is likely to be severely tested when they face Spain in their next match-up.